FOR "IL PADRINO"
Submitted by Gala Placidia on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 11:43In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Congratulations on being chosen as a godfather for your niece's child. It shows that the family loves and trusts you. A godfather, together with the godmother are the sponsors of the child during the ceremony and act on his/her behalf. They are also supposed to assist the parents in the child's Christian upbringing (although this seems not to be a priority nowadays). The godparents hold a position of prestige in the family and you may be consulted whenever decisions have to be made concerning the child. Here you have the Baptism liturgy in Italian, your wife will be able to help you to understand the details: http://www.spiritosanto.cc/rito.htm Regarding a suitable present, a gold chain and cross or medal, with the name of the child and the Christening date engraved is the traditional one.